Page 23 of Interstellar Love Song (Villains in Space #3)

ZIGGY

I should probably have the Lodger serviced before getting back on the Intergalactic Highway…

With a sigh, I mentally added that item to the never ending list of tasks to complete, after this space wedding but before we set out to somehow find the Planet Eater I’d encountered centuries ago.

No, Ziggy.

Space wedding, then honeymoon on Rildrea, then find the Planet Eater.

Refocusing on the incredibly important task at hand, I patiently waited for Micah to appear, reminding myself that I wanted to spend this time with my mate—to relax together after binding ourselves forever in the eyes of Stellaria.

Even if it is the first wedding Stellarians will have seen…

When Micah mentioned Honnor had initially suggested our marriage be a planet-wide celebration, I’d almost star hopped back to Earth.

He quickly reminded me the ceremony itself would be held in a private courtyard, with the recording broadcasted to the masses after we’d left the planet.

While this was slightly better than being expected to perform in the spotlight of Stellaria’s main public square, the idea of others dissecting every aspect of our wedding after the fact set me on edge.

Why is everyone so invested in what I do?

I knew why, of course, but I was spared from further acceptance of my hero status by a polite knock on my mental walls.

“I can feel your anxiety from here, Ziggy. Should I send you some cat videos?”

Gabriel smiled at me encouragingly from below the raised platform I stood on—decorated with an open canopy meant to symbolize our open home and the vast universe—his chest faintly glowing as our familial resonance softly hummed between us.

“I’ve got this.”

And they’ve got me.

My gaze swept over the blessedly small crowd consisting of Theo and the twins, Leeloo, Honnor and Bron, Pedro—held tightly by a reinforced SWOL-E—and a few high-ranking Astrum Force officials invited out of respect.

The green-skinned Idik officiating the ceremony stood on the platform with me, and a trio of well-known Stellarian musicians were softly humming near where Micah was set to appear.

Since creative pursuits are supposedly common for my kind .

Most of us…

My thoughts drifted to the stronghold on Apotelesma, carved out of the mountain—a universe in itself—and the memories of my entire family tree, resiliently stored in bottles underground.

Theo’s confused comment about how Markarians were Planet Eaters was still niggling at my consciousness, but it made sense with how little was known about our heritage.

Stellaria’s historical records being made public would help with that…

I’d extended an invite to Ondor and Valla for today’s celebration—as a show of goodwill—but they and their fellow bonded Stellarians refused to set foot on this planet, for fear of inciting the Planet Eater’s wrath.

“Stop stressing, Space Daddy! Your stellar collision will be here soon.”

I offered Gabriel a small smile, expertly burying how disturbed I still was by how he and Andre had communicated with my opponent while helplessly asleep.

They didn’t mention feeling threatened.

And who was the Planet Eater heralding?

My stomach sank as I wondered if it was me.

The old Astrum Force Command was once warned by the Hydrassians that “a child of two rebels” would overthrow them, but they dismissed it on principle alone.

I would have done the same. The idea that a single Stellarian could take down an entire regime was ridiculous, stellar collision or not.

Because the prophecy involved Micah as well .

My anxious spiral was cut short as the Stellarian musicians began to sing, signaling my mate’s entrance—their unique resonance harmonizing like an orchestra performing a multi-layered piece of music.

Beautiful.

A glittering cloud of silicate minerals—no doubt conjured by the most impressive creature among us—temporarily obscured the doorway leading out to the courtyard. When the cloud dissipated, a collective gasp went up among the small audience, with mine being loudest of all.

Absolutely beautiful.

My mate was resplendent in a high-neck sleeveless white coat trimmed in gold, open over his bare chest and billowing behind him like a cape. The skinny black leather pants and black combat boots he wore complimented my outfit, but I paled in comparison to him.

He’s glowing!

I vaguely recalled Gabriel mentioning he’d brought “golden glaze body butter” from Earth for an “extra layer of rizz,” but I’d assumed it was something to eat off my mate once we reached our honeymoon destination.

He’s actually… shimmering!

“Like what you see, Space Daddy?” Micah laughed as he reached the platform and ascended the stairs, meeting me beneath the canopy before taking my hands in his. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

I glanced down at my outfit, noting the fine workmanship of my matte black leather pants and tunic, complete with pleated shoulders and a midnight blue velvet cape, pinned off to the side.

“You far outshine me,” I murmured, still awestruck by his magnificence. “Like all the stars in the galaxy.”

“Zig!” he hissed, rapidly blinking even as he grinned wide. “I don’t want to start crying yet.”

Tears Imminent.

The Idik waiting at the back of the platform stepped forward. “We are gathered together on this auspicious occasion to celebrate a pairing written in the stars, a love as endless as the universe, and a sacred connection, the likes of which have not been seen in countless millennia.”

A sharp intake of breath had me glancing toward the twins. Gabriel was rubbing his temple while Andre stared at him with the same death glare he gave his enemies.

Why would he be looking at his twin like that?

“While Stellaria has no history of what some would call marriage,” the Idik continued. “This ceremony was inspired by a creative tapestry of cultures from across the galaxies, as well as new traditions being forged here today.”

The Idik waved a slender hand at the canopy above, the Photon Lance sheathed on my thigh, the bowl of rocks awaiting wishes and threats, and the custom crest embroidered over our hearts.

This last acknowledgment had me turning my head to gaze down at Theo with a grateful smile.

After our conversation in the bazaar earlier, my maker had disappeared with his signature sketchbook and created an insignia that was a mix of Stellaria’s official emblem and the Salah family crest. He’d then insisted the tailor incorporate the design into our wedding garb.

I’d worried it might interfere with Micah’s master wardrobe plan, but my mate simply smiled. “Events like this are supposed to be about family,” he’d said. “My family and yours—becoming one.”

Even if not everyone could be here today.

Zion had regretfully declined the invitation to join us, even with Micah's offer to create three sets of breathing apparatus for him, Baltasar, and Daisy. My mate’s eldest brother hasn’t wanted to put his mate’s pregnancy at risk, which I could appreciate.

If they’d both been full-blooded Lacertus, he needn’t have worried about the litter.

Micah had taken it in stride, especially when Gabriel offered to set up a tripod and record the ceremony for the Earthlings back home.

I had been uncharacteristically disappointed by their absence, and not only because I’d hoped to interrogate Baltasar on his pregnancy.

Politely, of course.

That one’s sensitive.

I’d also hoped to see if Micah’s breathing apparatus could work for others, because we needed to be prepared in case Earth truly was attacked.

But what if Stellaria falls too ?

The Idik lifted our clasped hands, snapping me back to the most important day of my life.

Why can’t I concentrate?

Perhaps sensing my nerves, they smiled reassuringly. “Before you exchange vows, I would like to offer a tradition from my planet.”

Our officiant produced a satin ribbon decorated with sparkling gems from the pocket of their robe before loosely binding our hands together. Many cultures had a similar practice, but I was interested to hear how theirs differed.

“This ribbon represents the invisible string connecting you together—and how your extended family ties in as well.” They paused to nod toward the others. “However, your connection to each other is still unique, a collision of stars now embedded in one another’s physical and metaphysical forms…”

“Fuck,” Gabriel whispered, drawing my attention away again.

“Lock ‘em out, bro,” Andre hissed.

His twin looked close to panicking. “I’m trying…”

Oh, no.

Not today.

It was clear the Planet Eater was attempting to infiltrate my wedding using the twins’ natural psychic abilities. This would not stand. They may have been Theo’s mates but they were still mine, and I protected what belonged to me.

Unlocking my mental defenses, I slipped into what I now understood was the collective well .

“LEAVE MY FAMILY THE FUCK ALONE!”

*DEFY ME AND YOU WILL REGRET ? —*

Before the unwanted guest could complete their threat, I slammed the door shut—mine and the twins’. When my vision cleared, Gabriel was smiling at me like I’d hung the moon and Andre looked begrudgingly impressed.

“That invisible string is how I found my way back to you when someone tried to kidnap me.” Micah shot a faux scowl at Bron, who I could feel grinning from here.

I thought about when the old Astrum Force commanders almost returned me to the stars—how I’d felt a pull toward my mate that went beyond reconnecting with the piece of my core I’d left inside him.

“It’s how we found each other.” I nodded, feeling my resonance humming happily, both in my chest and his. “How we would recognize each other in any universe.”

Something massive threw itself against my mental walls, but I tightened the locks and held firm, because nothing was going to come between me and my stellar collision.

Especially on our wedding day.

“I would recognize you anywhere.” Micah squeezed my bound hand with his. “And I will always find my way back to you.”

Always.

The Idik took a respectful step backward, giving us space. “Our esteemed couple would now like to say their vows before performing a new marriage tradition. ”

This is not a performance!

“Focus on us, Zig…” Micah whispered, giving my hand another squeeze. “It’s just you and me getting space married.”

I nodded, appreciating how this creature understood me so intimately that he always knew how to bring me back to baseline.

“Who would like to start?” the Idik asked, and Micah immediately raised his free hand, earning him a chuckle from the crowd.

“I know I’m gonna be a mess after Ziggy speaks, sooo…

” He smiled shyly before blowing out a slow breath, holding my gaze.

“I’d always thought the idea of love at first sight was scientifically unlikely, but then I felt such a clear pull toward you the day we met, I almost face-planted onto the floor.

And here I am now, feeling that same pull and falling for you more each day.

You may have once believed your kind was only capable of destruction, but then, I had the privilege of watching you rebel against that narrative, intuitively knowing you—and your people—were so much more than that.

I know you don’t think you’re heroic, Zig, but that’s exactly how I see you.

You aren’t just the baddest bitch in the universe, you fight for others —for what’s right —and I’m so proud to call you mine. ”

Oh no…

It took every ounce of my bodily control to pull the traitorous liquid threatening to fall back into my tear ducts where it belonged.

That’s better .

“A lovely sentiment,” the Idik murmured before turning to me. “And you?”

I’ve got this.

“It will be no surprise that I don't agree with being called a hero,” I haltingly began, smiling when Micah huffed. “But that’s because I have the most impressive mate as the aspirational ideal. I have never met anyone like you, sunshine. You are determined to learn all the facts, not just so you can do better but so you can leave the world—the universe—a better place. I can honestly say I am a better person for having known you, and that is thanks to the unconditional love you’ve shown me.

I also felt a pull the day we met, except I didn’t understand what it was at the time.

Now I do. It was recognition—a whisper of freedom from the lies I’d been told—and I’m grateful I was able to let you past the walls I’d built around myself and be set free. ”

“As if you had a choice,” Micah sniffled as tears ran down his perfect face. “I was determined to put a ring the size of Saturn on it if it was the last thing I did.”

In response, I held up my left hand, pressing against the skin from the inside to form a raised ring, as I’d done for him.

“There.” I smiled. “Now we match.”

“The perfect match,” he replied, reaching up to cup my face and pull me down for a kiss.

I would have assumed kissing my mate in front of an audience—especially knowing it was to be broadcasted for all of Stellaria—would ruin the experience, but I was wrong. The feel of Micah’s lips on mine, the way he softly moaned into my mouth as I licked my way into his, was all I cared about .

It’s just you and me.

The cheers of the crowd turned into a collective gasp as my incredibly impressive mate unveiled his wardrobe-related surprise.

When we finally separated, I looked down to see the black and white fabric on both our outfits had been magically altered to display a kaleidoscope of swirling color, accented with the same sparkle Micah had used to make his grand entrance.

Apparently, he wasn’t done, as the canopy above us suddenly morphed into countless pinpricks of light, drifting upwards like firebugs to disappear into the dusk.

Even Andre seemed impressed with that pretty display of power, and when we concluded our ceremony by cutting a strange-smelling “cake” with the Photon Lance, I felt like I finally knew what true happiness felt like.

“Time to party with our Caelestis family, Space Daddy,” Micah murmured in my ear so only I could hear. “Then onto the honeymoon so I can try to knock you up again.”

What babygirl wants, babygirl gets.

I smiled wide, hearing another gasp go up at my uncharacteristic display. “Lead the way, Commander."

And babygirl wants to breed me.